mask for MRSA?

[Flynurse]

In our facility we have been coming up with many cases of MRSA. Most of them sputum cases. I have been looking all over in my books and on the internet, but I can't find my answer.

Should we be using droplet precautions for these MRSA positive sputum patients? Should we use these precautions until the patient has been tested again for MRSA?

Thanks

[NancyJo]

In my facility everyone with mrsa is placed in contact isolation. Have a time getting them out of isolation on return visits as everyone is always on antibiotics when here. So often many of our isolations for whatever bug are for a history of. Each isol. pt. is given a disposable bp cuff, stethoscope etc. For our accuchecks they are supposed to cleaned with hype wipe when taken from each room, not sure how often that actually happens though. We've really pushed staff and visitor education of isolation precautions and have seen overall increase in compliance. We are seeing a definate decrease in the numbers of new cases cropping up.